At one of my trips to Marrakech city, I stayed in one of the fine hotels in the medina so it would be easier for me to visit the city’s famed souks. While scouting for some souvenirs in the souk market, it was pretty obvious to see that Morocco has a fascinating culture in pottery. Because of my itching curiosity in Moroccan pottery, I chatted with some of the vendors in the market and here’s what I learned from my little investigative scheme:

1. There are four major centers for pottery production in Morocco: Wadi Lan, Rabat, Safi, and Fez. Wadi Lan is known for its vibrant red soil, while the river known as Abu Reg Reg in Rabat is popular for its production of unglazed and glazed ware. On the other hand, the city of Safi is rich in yellow clay, while Fez is regarded for its prosperous blue pottery.

2. Large vessels made from clay were originally produced for refrigeration purposes. However, as the technology advances, these containers were replaced by freezers in the Moroccan households and were eventually used to keep soups hot during the Islam spiritual tradition known as the Ramadan.

3. Fez’s ceramics are very unique because of their bright blue finish. Fassi ceramics are very popular to the locals of the said city and to travelers like me. The city also boasts of its elegant mataysha or tomato flower design that captures the attention of any person who gazes at the ceramics.

4. When shopping for Moroccan potteries, check the kiln marking of the items that you are going to buy. Flaked-off paints caused by kiln must be sold at lower prices. In addition, avoid purchasing potteries with silver filigree because they are either cracked or chipped.

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